'archon' originates from Ancient Greek, specifically the word 'árchōn' (ἄρχων), where 'arch-' meant 'ruler' or 'to begin/govern'.

'archon' passed into Late Latin and Medieval scholarly usage (often unchanged as 'archon'), and was borrowed into English from these classical and scholarly sources to produce the modern English 'archon'.

Initially it meant 'ruler' or 'chief magistrate' in the specific civic sense; over time the term's use broadened to include religious/philosophical supernatural rulers (e.g., in Gnostic texts) and occasional honorary or ceremonial officials.